September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

As America wrangles daunting issues, no challenge is more urgent than protecting the health and wellbeing of our children—now, and as they grow.Over the past several decades we have witnessed childhood obesity grow to epidemicproportions. More than 23 million children and teenagers are obese or overweight. That’s roughly one child in every three. Some groups are disproportionately affected. These youngsters risk developing serious health problems in adulthood, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and several types of cancer. The financial impact is asobering $14 billion per year in direct health care costs alone. The psychosocial consequences can hinder these kids academically and socially. You can help: join our community in observing National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month this September. Parents, health care providers, educators, civic leaders and organizations have created programs and activities to promote healthy eating andphysical activity. The effort begins at home. Parents have enormous influence over their children’s lifestyles by the example they set and the decisions they make. By modeling healthy eating and physically active lifestyles, we can set our children on the road to a lifetime of good habits. The fight against childhood obesity gains momentum in September, and the results can last a lifetime. All children deserve a healthy start in life; it’s our responsibility to make that possible. Learn more at www.COAM-month.org.

Stephanie Madden
General Manager
Anytime Fitness University Heights